Committee proposes walkway under Wrightsville drawbridge

The agency's transportation advisory committee approved a resolution asking the DOT to provide some funding for the project.

By Ashley WithersAshley.Withers@StarNewsOnline.com

The Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking assistance from the N.C. Department of Transportation to build a walkway under the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge.The agency's transportation advisory committee, which helps set transportation priorities for the Cape Fear region, approved a resolution last week asking the DOT to provide some funding for the proposed project.The project would consist of a walkway underneath the drawbridge linking the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail, which runs down Eastwood Road and would be extended to the bridge, and Airlie Road."That can be a very dangerous place if you're trying to take a bike or walk," said Wilmington Councilwoman Laura Padgett, who also is chair of the advisory committee.The proposed walkway would cost an estimated $588,000, but Padgett said it is necessary."It's a safety issue. It's very difficult to make a connection there and we've had some really bad biking accidents as a result," she said. "We want to create better access for bikers and walkers."The path-under-the-bridge proposal, which would be built separately from the cross-city trail extension from Eastwood Road to the drawbridge, is part of a big push by city and New Hanover County officials to make the area more accommodating to those on two feet or two wheels.That includes a request from local officials to have the DOT designate Airlie Road, which is already popular with bicyclists, a N.C. Scenic Byway.The walkway proposal, which also would include a public viewing deck, has garnered support from Wrightsville Beach.Town Alderman Bill Sisson, who also is a member of the transportation advisory committee, said Wrightsville officials recently discussed the issue and unanimously expressed their support."We wanted to give our support for the city's request," he said. "We see it as tying in with our own effort to improve bicycle traffic to the beach. We want to get as many people out of their cars as we can."Support from adjacent community projects often helps secure state funding, Sisson said. "We want to participate anyway we can in helping make this possible," he said. "We see this as very important because right now trying to cross Wrightsville Avenue is dangerous."